Enterovirus infection linked to incidence of T1DM in children

(HealthDay)—The risk of type 1 diabetes is increased for children diagnosed with enterovirus infection, according to a study published online Oct. 17 in Diabetologia.

Hsiao-Chuan Lin, from China Medical University in Taiwan, and colleagues used insurance claims data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research database to examine the incidence of type 1 diabetes. They compared the incidence rate in children aged up to 18 years with or without a diagnosis of enterovirus during 2000 to 2008.

The researchers found that the overall incidence of type 1 diabetes was 5.73 per 100,000 person-years in the enterovirus infection cohort and 3.89 per 100,000 person-years in the non-enterovirus infection cohort (incidence rate ratio, 1.48; adjusted hazard ratio, 1.48). With the exception of children aged 5 to 10 years, the incidence increased with age at diagnosis of enterovirus infection. Children with allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, or either one of these atopic diseases showed more variation in the hazard ratios of type 1 diabetes than children without these diseases.

"The results suggest that a preventive strategy, such as an effective vaccine against enterovirus infection, may lessen the incidence of type 1 diabetes in Taiwan," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.